KIPP Sunnyside principal resigns after alcohol brought to campus

Updated 10:19 pm, Monday, August 20, 2012

The founding principal at KIPP Sunnyside High School has resigned after not reporting that several staff members brought alcohol to campus this summer and drank with minors, a school spokeswoman said.

Principal Shannon Wheatley was not on the charter school campus at the time of the incident, but he was aware that the gathering took place, KIPP spokeswoman Chris Gonzalez said.

"It is unacceptable to have alcohol on our campuses," Gonzalez said. "No children were on campus, but regardless of that we have to hold that line. The principal was not there. He wasn't even in town, but he did not report it to the administration.

"We took a hard stance because he was aware and did not follow our protocol," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez could not elaborate on whether Wheatley was forced to resign. She said he is no longer employed by KIPP.

Wheatley could not be reached for comment.

The principal resigned Aug. 9, after four clerical staff members brought alcoholic beverages onto campus after hours sometime in July, Gonzalez said. No students were present, but two college-age alumni drank at the unauthorized gathering.

The alumni were volunteers interning at KIPP over the summer. Gonzalez said she does not know if the incident was reported to police.

The four clerical staff members are also no longer employed at KIPP, she said.

John Allen, who worked with KIPP in the math department during the last school year, was named the new school leader, according to a letter that went out to parents on Aug. 13, the first day of school, informing them of the change.

"Mr. Wheatley will continue to be devoted to the children and families of KSHS and will remain a strong supporter of the school," the letter reads. "He thoroughly believes in each of our children and knows that they will be successful in college and in life.

"Despite this change in leadership, we stand committed to the work that was started by Mr. Wheatley, the Sunnyside teachers, and most importantly you and your children," the letter said.

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